Peripheral neuropathy decisions — 2021

The Board has found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are not service connected. The claims for ulcers and edema have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities have precluded him from maintaining substantially gainful employment due to physical and mental impairments.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 21, 2020 and at 50 percent since then.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as it is not shown to be related to the service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with the Veteran's service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to type II diabetes, was denied because there is no evidence linking these conditions directly to the Veteran's service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted due to its onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity as due to service-connected complex regional pain syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are a progression of her service-connected condition.

The Board has denied service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because he was not continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of at least ten years prior to his death, nor was he continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of at least five years from his date of discharge from active military service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was caused by her service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service or herbicide exposure. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest until almost 30 years after her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, loss of use of creative organ, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and TDIU. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's BLE peripheral neuropathy is granted service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for BLE arthritis (knees) is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to March 20, 2012 was considered part and parcel of his increased rating for neuropathy. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any one of his service-connected disabilities alone renders him unemployable prior to March 20, 2012.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, adrenal gland disorder, and benign paroxysmal vertigo/Meniere's disease have been denied as they are not related to his service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to a lack of medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's initial higher disability ratings for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy prior to August 26, 2008 are granted. Ratings in excess of 50 percent for the right upper extremity and 40 percent for the left upper extremity from August 26, 2008 are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and diabetic neuropathy, left lower extremity due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's left leg condition, as the previous examination did not provide sufficient opinions regarding his service connection claim and other related issues. The matter is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence to support these claims based on presumed exposure to herbicides.